Local McDonald’s stores help collect items

Friday

Jan 6, 2017 at 10:01 AMJan 11, 2017 at 2:36 PM

Submitted to The Chief

More than 2,000 items were collected from McDonald’s locations across central Iowa throughout the holiday season as part of Ronald McDonald House of Des Moines’ Giving Tree. McDonald’s customers were encouraged to take an ornament from an individual store’s tree that included an item of need and return with a donation for families staying at the Des Moines location. The facility provides a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment in area hospitals, at no cost for as long as the need exists. It has served more than 13,000 families from across the state since opening in 1981.

Items ranged from premature baby clothes to laundry detergent, boxed meals to gift cards, and 2,134 items were tallied in total for the drive.

About RMHC:

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa (RMHC), a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation provides and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. The core services are the Ronald McDonald House in downtown Des Moines and the Ronald McDonald Family Room located inside Des Moines’ Mercy Hospital. These facilities provide a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment in area hospitals. Each year, RMHC provides lodging and meals to more than 700 families from 73 counties throughout central Iowa. Families can stay at no cost for as long as their need exists. All RMHC-supported programs provide access to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information on Ronald McDonald House of Des Moines, please visit www.rmhdesmoines.org, or follow on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.